ARB the Softball Player

Grampy and I were able to go up to watch Ashton play softball on Wednesday. Boy has this girls improved since we saw her play last fall. She is very good on defense, as evidenced by the fact that they are playing her at first base and pitcher. Boy, can she smack that ball when batting too.

We really enjoyed seeing her play and visiting with Erin, Bobby, ARB and LP.

I captured some video hope it comes out OK.

Enjoy this little Cubs player, we sure did!

Bet You thought...

Bet you thought I had dropped off the face of the earth, huh? NOT, just been verrrrrrrry busy. But, now that basketball is over with and I have such a great student doing such a fine job with tennis, I find myself with some time to spare.

Thought you all might get a kick out of these pictures that I scanned in this week. Just found them laying around the house. Erin, make sure you show them to ARB.

Woo-Hoo

On Tuesday (my birthday) they delivered my double oven, cooktop and vent hood!!

The guy came yesterday afternoon and installed everything. Woo-Hoo!!!!

I have wanted a new oven for soooooooooooooo long but wouldn't spend the money until the old one officially crapped out.

Megan suggested that I get a double oven and I thought it was a great idea and Dad agreed.

Anyway, now I'm almost ready for Thanksgiving. At least the cooking part of it is taken care of!

Next up for the kitchen, new cabinets and countertop (but that won't be for a while).

Sweet Okole #1

A Bennett family tradition began its 21st year with this week's first Sweet Okole.

We have a new player this season, Ashton joined in and was given the nickname of THE PRINCESS by Grampy. Everyone has a nickname. This first week I'll include the person's real name as well as the nickname but after this will just use the nicknames.

Winner - Snookums (Heather) edged out Grammy on the tiebreaker (Who would have thought that OU-BYU would only have 27 points!!!), we both finished with 11 wins out of 15 games.

10 - The Princess, Bear (Bruce), Dinky Dog (Megan)
9 - Bubba (Chris)
8 - Boo Boo Bear (Erin), BroDog (Brodie), Wyatt (Bobby), The Saint (Ricci)
7 - Sweet Cheeks (Jonathan)

Next week will include pro games so there will be a total of 20 games, 10 college, 10 pro.

No money involved, just bragging rights. I think Dinky Dog has won the last two years. Time for her to be dethroned.

The Trophy Moves North

The Bennett Family Wii trophy was won this week by one of our Frisco residents, Bobby. This was the second tournament of the season.

Round 1
Holly - bye
Jon 119, Grampy 110
Megan 202, Chris 180
Erin - bye
Bobby - bye
Ashton 159, Brodie 142
Grammy 165, Ricci 144
Ninny - bye

Quarterfinals
Jon 170, Holly 133 (no way to treat your girlfriend)
Megan 178, Erin 138
Bobby 178, Ashton 144
Grammy 143, Ninny 108

Semifinals
Megan 225 (six strikes in a row), Jon 139
Bobby 164, Grammy 120

Championship
Bobby 180, Megan 174

Congrats to Bobby!!! Had to get a little creative with the picture!

Bowling Tournament

Since we have a Wii now, I thought I'd organize a friendly family bowling tournament which would run before/during/after family dinner. I purchased a traveling trophy (see picture), got it properly "engraved" and displayed it on the fireplplace mantle for all to see.

We had a 10-person single elimination draw then we drew names out of a bowl to fill in the bracket. Brodie, Megan, me, Erin Jon and Bobby all drew first-round byes. Since the Bryce's couldn't make it down for the day, they bowled at their house then phoned in the scores (bummer with this was there was no opportunity for smack talk!).

Ashton and Ricci were paired against each other in the first round and Ashton bowled an impressive 141 but Ricci countered with a 181. Chris and Bear faced off with Chris posting a 164 to his Grampy's 114.

In the second round Ricci downed Brodie, Megan trounced her mother, 199-97, Jon edged Erin, 134-113, and Chris beat Bobby, 180-168.

In the quarterfinals, Megan rolled a 218 to beat Ricci while Jon and Chris underwhelmed each other with a 101 and 117, respectively.

Since Chris had to go to work at 4:30, he and Jon bowled after he got off work and Megan bowled her championship game after she and Ricci faced off. She was a "little" miffed that she only scored 139. After Chris beat Jon, he rolled his championship score of 147, thus beating his aunt by eight pins for the championship.

It would have been much more competitive and interesting if Megan and Chris could have faced off against each other, a lot of smack talk would have taken place as well.

A good time was had by all and the Bottoms are looking forward to the trophy residing in their house in the near future rather than Heather's house.

PS - Megan averaged 185 throughout the tournament while Chris managed a 152. But, it's the head-to-head competition that counts!!!

Beware!!!

Sorry it's been sooooo long since I blogged.

On my last post you saw where Chris was catching fish, on this one, he's about to be bit by one! (see picture)

On our way back to Texas from California, we spent a night in Las Vegas. One of the highlights was going to the Mandalay Bay and touring the Aquarium there. If you ever get the chance, go there it's awesome (but a little pricey).

Another highlight, at least for Jon and Chris, was Grampy and his trick-or-treat bag. Next time you see them, ask them to explain. Also, maybe Bruce will show you his "card collection" from Vegas. :-)